New drivers tend to be nervous to drive, especially on the interstate. But sometimes, parking correctly can induce an entirely different level of worry. Parking can be very stressful. You may even feel the pressure as you are pulling into the parking lot with so many cars waiting behind you.

If you get nervous with parking, here are a few tips to help you out.

1. When buying a car, look for one with parking sensors.

Technology has provided a lot of new car features. Newer cars now have parking assist, and short-term self-driving capability. Heck, I once saw my boss’s Ford Taurus park itself on a curb. If you buy a car with parking sensor, your driving life will definitely be easier as you learn to rely on this parking sensor. 

2. Practice, practice, practice.

If you practice day after day, you will get the hang of it. You will start knowing how to turn the steering wheel just right and how to avoid hitting other cars in the parking lot. I don’t recommend practicing in a public parking area. Rather, look for a spot near your home. Use boxes or traffic cones if you have to. The point is, practice in a safe space before moving on to a real setting.

3. Watch videos and ask for help

There is nothing wrong with asking for help. In fact, that is the first step to learning–admitting that you need help. thankfully, with our internet-connected world, we can easily watch videos and take notes and practice.

4. Do not hesitate to get extra lessons to master parking skills

You could be a very confident driver, but parking might make you feel nervous. Don’t be shy to take extra lessons by driving instructor. They can help you be more savvy in parking your car. You may need to pay some money, but this is a great way to accelerate your learning curve.

5. Mirror adjustment

Try adjusting your mirror to see if that helps. By seeing a better view of what is before and behind your car, you can control the movement of the car towards your parking space. A small blindspot mirror (those concave ones) can also help you check if you fall within the lines of a parking space.

6. Parallel parking space requirements

If you need to park parallel, look for a space that has about 4 feet extra for the length of your car. If you’re not a pro yet, you may need to look for an even bigger space. Parallel parking is an entirely different beast! Some seasoned drivers do not even know how to do parallel parking. Thankfully, a lot of states have already eliminated this requirement in the driver’s test before getting a driver’s license.

7. Keep the speed slow

Even if you have a line of cars waiting behind you, don’t hurry. Take your time while parking; it is better to be slow than to bang your car to another car, or worse, to the wall. In fact, there are even more chances of you making a mistake if you try to park in a hurry. So, don’t get under pressure and relax while you’re at parking your car.

You have to understand that with time and practice your parking skill will get better and so do not give up and keep practicing. Parking will really become simple the more you do it. In time, it will come to you. Just make sure not to dent your car and other cars while you’re practicing.

These were just a few simple parking tips for new drivers that will help them park better under-pressure. Hope you will keep these simple but effective tips in mind!